This autumn, The Soon Life, a bold and bitingly funny new play by Phoebe McIntosh, will premiere at Southwark Playhouse Borough from Wednesday 1st to Saturday 18th October 2025.
Set in real-time during lockdown, The Soon Life offers an unflinching look at childbirth, identity and relationships through the eyes of a woman navigating labour alone in her London flat.
At the heart of the story is Bec, a dancer in her thirties, who is determined to stay composed through contractions—until her estranged ex, Alex, unexpectedly arrives.
With its naturalistic setting, physical storytelling and caustic humour, this gripping two-hander explores the emotional and physical intensity of labour, as well as the complexities of modern relationships.
Writer and performer Phoebe McIntosh said:
“Writing this play after the birth of my first daughter felt like the best way to reflect on what is, simply put, a landmark memory. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the challenges childbirth involved for me personally while thinking more broadly about the myriad versions of birth there are and how the experience touches everyone differently. This production feels like an opportunity to raise awareness of modern birth in a very different way.”
Directed by Sarah Meadows and performed by McIntosh alongside Joe Boylan, The Soon Life brings the realities of labour unapologetically to the stage, challenging the way birth is typically portrayed in theatre.
The production is supported by Talawa Theatre, Soho Theatre and Jacksons Lane, and funded by Arts Council England, the Royal Victoria Hall Foundation and crowdfunding.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.